WOOO HOOOO: Nordica Hell's Belles!

[ski diva]

I finally got out on my new Nordica Hell's Belles today. I'd demoed these skis last winter and had been lusting after them ever since. So I pulled the trigger a few weeks ago and today was the day to actually get them on the hill.

Let me say I was NOT disappointed. Conditions today were pretty firm with some soft, mixed up stuff here and there, but the skis didn't care. With a tip/tail/waist of 132-90-118 and underfoot camber, these skis have plenty of edge-t0-edge maneuverability in both short and long turns. They charged through everything with a stable, smooth ride that has plenty of zip. I'd love to get this ski in the moguls and in some deeper stuff, but alas, none of that around this early in the season.

Some stats: I'm 5'1", 110 lbs, and an advanced skier. The Hell's Belles are 154 cm. I've outfitted them with Atomic FFG bindings.

Needless to say, I'm very happy with my choice.

 

[mustski]

I have been lusting after either those or the Temptation 88s. You and I have similar taste in skis I think, so this review has pushed them up a notch.

 

[KatyPerrey]

Nice to see you went with the 154. Nordica skis ROCK!! Enjoy!!

 

[ski diva]

I have been lusting after either those or the Temptation 88s. You and I have similar taste in skis I think, so this review has pushed them up a notch.

@mustski , Wish I'd tried the Temptation 88's so I could give you a comparison. If you try them both, let me know. I'd love to hear your take on them.

Nice to see you went with the 154. Nordica skis ROCK!! Enjoy!!

Thanks, @KatyPerrey . I just got rid of a pair of skis that I thought were too long for me, and I didn't want to get burned that way again. To be honest, I don't sweat a cm or two that much, and I can go a bit longer in a ski that has some rocker. But for me, 154 is pretty much an ideal length.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

The Temptation 88's were my Pick of Demo last year, out of 2 demo sessions. Absolutely loved them, took them on a steep bump run, they were wonderful. Some talk of them feeling "heavy" - I did not find this to be the case at all. I was on a 162, it was the perfect length for me. Opened them up once on less challenging terrain, and they just took it in, very stable at speed. Would own them in a heart beat.

Have not, however, been on HB's, though have heard nothing but good.
So many truly great choices out there now.

 

[ski diva]

Had these babies out in 3 inches of freshies yesterday, which isn't a lot, but it beats nothing. They were fun, fun, fun! I'll keep you posted.

 

[Liquid Yellow]

Glad you love them! I really liked the Wild Belles, I always had a feeling I'd like Nordica skis.

 

[vetski]

I'd love to get this ski in the moguls and in some deeper stuff, but alas, none of that around this early in the season.
View attachment 2081

These skis don't seem to care what you throw at them. I found them surprisingly nimble in bumps and trees. The last day of the year last season, the hill was literally melting from underneath everyone....slushy mess that normally would have had me packing up and going home. These skis even did well in that crap! I also LOVE how light they are.

 

[Skier31]

Nordica has done an excellent job with their women's skis. They have made them lighter without losing the superb edge control and crud busting attributes.

 

[Serafina]

AND they have awesome top-sheets!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

They have made them lighter without losing the superb edge control and crud busting attributes.

By replacing some of the wood core with foam stringers. I'm curious to see how that foam ages, based on my years-past (decades ago, actually>wow) experience with foam core skis.

 

[canski]

Great to hear! I got last year's on sale a month or so ago - haven't mounted yet. I had demoed them in the soft spring snow the end of March and loved them - so grabbed them when I found a deal.....but thought I better demo in more 'normal' New England conditions - but looks like you just did that! Hope I didn't go too long - 162 - which is what I demoed - I am 5'4 and 118 so probably OK.....

 

[Skier31]

Great to hear! I got last year's on sale a month or so ago - haven't mounted yet. I had demoed them in the soft spring snow the end of March and loved them - so grabbed them when I found a deal.....but thought I better demo in more 'normal' New England conditions - but looks like you just did that! Hope I didn't go too long - 162 - which is what I demoed - I am 5'4 and 118 so probably OK.....

 

[MissySki]

Great to hear! I got last year's on sale a month or so ago - haven't mounted yet. I had demoed them in the soft spring snow the end of March and loved them - so grabbed them when I found a deal.....but thought I better demo in more 'normal' New England conditions - but looks like you just did that! Hope I didn't go too long - 162 - which is what I demoed - I am 5'4 and 118 so probably OK.....

I don't think you went too long at all, I just got on this size last weekend at a demo also and definitely would not have wanted to go shorter (in fact last year I demoed the 154 and found it way too short for me). I am 5'4 125 lbs.

 

[Karlyboogy]

Definitely not too long I think, I'm 5`6, 130 lbs, and I thought the 162 length was OK, but the 170 (well, the Steadfast) was the best! And they told me it's practically the same ski and all the things I liked seemed to come down to the length, so I think you shouldn't take these too short.

Very frustrating, I ordered them at a French webshop and they kept e-mailing me in French of course.. Turns out they're probably in my city somewhere, but they're not in my house so I don't know where they are! I want to feel them in my hands, to know for real they're mine..

 

[canski]

Good luck finding them!

 

[frenchgirl]

Very frustrating, I ordered them at a French webshop and they kept e-mailing me in French of course.. Turns out they're probably in my city somewhere, but they're not in my house so I don't know where they are! I want to feel them in my hands, to know for real they're mine..

If you wish to pm me the email I can translate for you.

 

[Skier31]

Just bought the Helle's Belles from Start Haus for $299.00. Can't wait to ski them.

 

[maggie198]

My daughter demoed these last weekend and her stats are similar to yours, ski diva. She really liked them a lot - especially in the cut-up crud that started accumulating in the p.m. Was one of her favorite skis, along with some of Ramp's offerings. I wish I had gotten a chance to demo them.

 

[CTskigrrl]

Love, love, LOVE these skis!!! Got them out on the snow yesterday for some fun and was very happy with them. I was afraid to give up my 2010 Nordica Conquer's but these ski exactly like them, except better. I tried last year's Wild Belles (I do love my Nordica's) but was not impressed - not nimble enough for me in the bumps/trees. These were incredibly stable at speed, could edge on anything and were really quick and maneuverable underfoot. I can't wait to take them out again. The first time I tried to skid them into a gliding wedge was slightly difficult, and hilarious for onlookers - that took some adjusting to. I don't think I'll be using them to teach lessons - not that I ever would anyway I'm excited to get them out in better conditions. Happy ski season!